Your Dog-related Catch-22 Ends With This Article

Are you thinking about adopting a dog from the pound? Would you rather have a dog that is a pure breed? Getting a dog will give you endless amounts of love, whether it be mutt or show dog. But, you have to be responsible as well, which is why you should read the whole article that follows.

If you have medications at home, ensure that it is safely hidden away and out of the reach of your dog. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If your dog eats your medication, see a vet right away.

TIP! If you have over-the-counter medication or prescription medication in your home, keep it in a place the dog can’t access it. Swallowing a couple pills could can serious health issues, even heart attacks and seizures.

Your home needs to be ‘dog-proofed’. This should be done before the dog shows up at your home. Store things like meds and cleaning products in a safe location, and be sure to keep any indoor trash cans behind a cabinet. Some common house plants that are toxic to pets should be removed from your home.

Just as you need an annual physical exam, dogs do as well. Your dog will not be able to express its concerns, so make sure that you get it a checkup periodically. An annual vet visit can help you find problems early.

Be careful when selecting canine flea treatments. A lot of the ones on the market have ingredients that are 1000 times more potent than what is considered safe by the EPA and it may be a cancer risk for children. Bring up the subject of alternative and family-friendly treatments the next time you see your vet, and always be sure to apply these treatments when no children are present.

TIP! Be careful with canine flea treatments. Many have ingredients that may put kids at risk for various cancers over 1000 times what the EPA may consider to be safe.

Always, have your dog spayed or neutered. Research has proven that this can reduce your dog’s risk of cancer and make them healthier in general. Spayed and neutered dogs wander less often as well, so this reduces likelihood of your dog getting hit on the road or lost.

Store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in a safe place where your dog cannot get them. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog. Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog swallows any pills.

Never take your dog outside your yard without a leash. A feral animal might catch their attention, causing them to pursue them, or an unplanned incitement might lead to a bad situation with other pet owners. You are solely responsible for the dog’s actions and for the dog’s safety as well.

Flea Treatments

Watch out for dog flea treatments. They contain carcinogens proven to cause cancer in kids. Ask your vet for recommendations instead, and keep children away while you’re applying flea treatments.

Let your lifestyle determine what breed of dog you should bring into your home. For instance, if you jog, a toy poodle may not be as great a choice as a dog that is able to run with you. If you like to stay at home, perhaps you would like a small dog. Don’t get a dog that you don’t fit in with if you can avoid that.

TIP! Purchase a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle. A good example would be if you are a runner.

Training your dog should be done in your yard or inside your home. This will give you security and an area that your dog is comfortable. Being around others can cause distractions, meaning it is more difficult for your dog to master basic commands.

Try not to buy low quality food for your dog. The cheaper brands actually contain a lot of preservatives, additives and other ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Find a list of recommended dog foods from the vet or an advocate for animals. Your dog is going to be healthier if he eats better.

TIP! Do not buy the cheapest dog food. Many of the cheapest brands contain additives, preservatives and other things that can compromise the health of your dog.

Schedule a visit for your new dog with your local veterinarian. Once the dog arrive home, place a call to the vet and schedule that appointment. A vet will make sure the dog is healthy and also set up a future schedule of vaccinations. Remember that there is a tremendous dog overpopulation problem, so you should have your dog spayed/neutered.

Give your dog a lot of love. Like many things in life, many owners pay much more attention to bad behavior than good behavior. This may eventually cause problems. Remember to praise and be affectionate with your dog more frequently than you discipline him. Your dog will be far more likely to try to behave properly.

Do not try to feed your dog something they do not like. If you purchase a treat your dog doesn’t appear to like, just try another brand rather than making him eat. Upon initially bringing a dog into the home, spend some time discovering its likes and dislikes.

Keep a close eye on a female dog when she’s in heat to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. A male dog is able to smell her from up to five miles away. The dog might also want to fight other dogs, and become pregnant.

Too many trainers spoil the process. Different people do things different ways, and you can confuse your pup. One person should be in charge, and everyone else needs to reinforce everything this person teaches the dog.

Grooming your dog every day will ensure it doesn’t shed all over the place. Brushing every day will also help give them a gorgeous, glossy coat. When you brush a dog, you are moving the skin’s oils evenly throughout its fur, so it really makes the fur shine and feel great.

Dogs tend to get cuts and scrapes on their paws from things they step on. If your dog happens to get a cut, wash it thoroughly and put a bandage on it. If the cut seems unusually deep, take your dog to see the veterinarian.

It’s time to bring Fido home. Always be open to new information about dog ownership, and learn from your dog as well. Think about signing up for forums if you want to discuss your furry friend with other owners. Keep learning throughout your life.

To prevent the hair around a dog’s paws from matting, you should keep it trimmed. First comb the hair, then give it a trim. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.